Loose-leaf binder



April 23, 1940.

J. COOPER El AL v ,924

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Original Filed Feb. 23. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JAMES COOPER BY GERHARD H. d. BAULE IAT'I'ORNEYS,

April 23, 194o. J, COOPER ET AL 2,197,924

I LCOSE-LEAF BINDER Original Filed Feb. 23, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I k m H A I i 20 i I j I j 1 0 /77 INVENTORS JAMES Coops? & m" GERHARD H. d. BAULE A TTOR NE Y5 April 23, 1940. K J. COOPER E1 AL 2,197,924

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Origifial Filed Feb. 23, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet s JAMES COOPER 6( BY GERHARD H-J. BAULE INVENTORS.

6M J TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES LOOSE-LEAF BINDER James'cooper, Solvay, and Gerhard H. J. Baule, Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to Hall. & McChesney, .Inc., Syracuse, New York N. Y., a corporation of Original application February 23,1937, .Serial No. 127,122. I Divided and this applicationDcvcember 18, 1937, Serial No. 180,636

6 Claims.

This invention relates, in general, to looseleaf binders and is directed more particularly to improvements in the structure operable to detachably lock the ends of the leaf impaling posts to the back member of the binder.

In our Patent No. 2,159,009, issued May 23, 1939, we have illustrated a loose-leaf binder in which the present invention is particularly applicable, the binder in that instance being of the full automatic type wherein after like ends of the posts have been detached from the back member they are automatically locked to the'back member by simply closing the cover of the binder. The structure pertaining to the automatic mechanism of that binder forms no part of this invention, this present case constituting a. division of the former application referred to and the particular post engaging structure herein claimed may be also employed in loose-leaf binders not embodying th full automatic feature. v

The present invention has as an object a particularly simple and economical structure operable to securely lock the ends of" the leaf impaling posts to the back member or housing carried thereby upon engagement of the housing with the ends of the posts. 7 I i U I The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed. 3 In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of a binder illustrating our invention and with the covers in fiat open position.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the binder shown in Figure 1 taken on substantially lines 22, Figure 1, illustrating one of the housings detached from the leaf impaling posts and the back member swung outwardly to provide for the reception or removal of the leaves.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a slide bar showing the post engaging members or looks and showing a modified form of slide actuating handle.

Figures 4. and 5 are sectional views of a housing and slide bar of the type shown in Figure 3 taken on substantially lines 44 and 55 respectively of Figure 3. I 50 Figure 6 is a fragmentary lengthwise sectional view of the slide bar shown in Figure 3, taken substantially on lines 66, Figure 3.

The post engaging and locking. mechanism herein particularly referred to may be advantageously used in any form of loose-leaf binder wherein the ends of the leafimpaling posts are 'detachably secured to the back member.

As here shown, the back member consists of inner and outerplates H], H, secured together at their longitudinal edges. A suitable outer covering l2 of leather, or like material, is secured to the outer plate I l and may be reinforced by an arcuate shaped piece of rawhideor other stifiening material 13 in the conventional manner. A cover I5 is hinged to each longitudinal edge of the back member on a pivot l6, and a lengthwise extending tubular housing I1 is also pivotally mounted to one or both edges of the back member onthe cover pivot vl6. The inner sides of the housings ll'are formed with aper tures 18 to receive the ends of the posts l9. It is to be understood that a housing I1 may be pivotally secured along each edge of the back member, in which instance, the apertures IS in each housing are arranged in alinement to efiect the proper spacing of the posts I9, and the housingscontain meansv operable to detachably secure the ends of the posts to the housings to in turn secure theposts to the back member of the binder with the posts extending transversely thereof and in spaced apart relation thereto.

The-binder structure herein disclosed includes mechanism operable to'effect engagement of the housings I'lwith the ends of the posts I9 upon I closing movement of the adjacent cover l5. That .is, after one of the housings I! has been detached ture is claimed in our patent referred to and forms no part of this invention.

The mechanism for detachably securing the ends of the posts l9 in the housings, l1 includes a slide bar 22 preferably of channel formation having a bottom wall 23 and side flanges 24. One end of the slide bar 22 extends outwardly through the end of the housing and is shaped to form an operating handle 25. The endsof the bottom wall and side flanges are formed to pro-1 vide an end wall at the opposite end of the bar. The bar is 'slidably mounted in the housing with the bottom wall 23 overlying the inner side of the housing I! in which .the post receivingapertures I8 are formed, and a compression spring 26 This mechanism is arranged is inserted in the housing between the end thereof and the end wall of the slide bar to yieldingly position the slide bar with the handle 25 extending outwardly as shown in Figure 1. Outward movement of the bar 22 by spring 26 is limited by a rivet 2! extending through the housing. The bottom wall 23 of the bar is formed with a slot to receive the shank of the rivet and to permit sliding movement of the bar.

The bottom wall of the slide bar 22 is formed with a plurality of elongated openings, there being one of such openings for eachpost receiving aperture [8 in the housing. The slide bar 22 is provided with a post engaging member arranged in juxtaposition to each of the openings in the bar. Each post engaging member is provided with means arrangedadjacent one end of each opening in the slide bar and is operable to detachably secure the posts to the bar and housing. The opposite end portion 29 of each of the elongated openings in the slidebar is of such dimension as to clear theends of the posts when the bar 22 is moved axially inwardly. Opposite sides of the ends of the posts l9 are tapered as at 3i and are provided with notches immediately below the tapered surfaces 3|.j

Preferably, and as here shown in Fig. 4, the opposite or outer wall of the housing I! is provided with apertures to receive the ends of the posts, whereby the posts are secured to the housing ina substantially rigid manner being supported by the walls of the apertures and by the post engaging members.

In Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, we illustrate a slide bar having individual post engaging members arranged at each of the elongated openings and which are conveniently installed in the bar and detachably secured thereto. These post engaging members 32 are formed of comparatively thin spring material and are preferably channel shaped in cross section, as is the slide bar 22, and are of such width as to snugly flt between the side flanges 24 of the bar. The bottom wall of the post engaging members 32 is formed with an elongated opening substantially coextensive with the elongated openings in the slidebar. However, at one end of the opening flanges 33 extend inwardly and upwardly. The bottom wall of the slide bar is apertured in such manner as to form flanges 34 which extend inwardly a shortdistance and serve to back up the flexible flanges 33 of the post engaging member. The opposite end portion 29, of the opening in the slide bar, is also formed with flanges 35 which do not extend inwardly any appreciable distance, but are bent upwardly as indicated in Figures 3 and 5. The adjacent end portion of the opening in the post engaging member is of such dimension and width as to fit over the upwardly extending flanges 35, and these flanges together with the flanges 34 are thus' cooperable with opposite ends of the openings in said post engaging members to prevent relative axial movement between the same and the slide bar. The depth of the side flanges of the post engaging members is such that the top edges thereof engage the inner surface of the opposite wall of the housing IT.

The outer end of the side flanges 24 of the bar shown in Figs. 3 and 6 terminate short of the end of the bottom wall 23, as at 40. The outer end of the bottom wall is formed with a slot 4! and an angle shaped lug 42 is struck up from the bottom wall 23 adjacent the ends 40 of the side walls.

In assembling the structure, the post engaging members 32 are inserted in the slide bar, it being understood that there is a post engaging member arranged at each opening in the slide bar. The compression spring 26 is then inserted in the housing together with the slide bar 22. The slide bar 22 is pressed inwardly with a separate handle 44, the inner end of which engages "the lug 42 and subsequently the top wall of the housing I! is pressed downwardly to form a reduced end portion 45, see Figure 9. At this time, a rivet 46 is inserted through the top wall of the housing and through an elongated slot 41 formed to the housing. The rivet 46 also acts as a stop to limit outward movement of the slide bar.

It will be observed that this structure is particularly economical both as to material and'the consumption of time in forming and assembling the housing and post engaging structure. "The slide bar may be formed of any suitable sheet metal material, it being necessary only to form the post engaging members from the more expensive spring material. Also, the structure is particularly convenient to assemble and while the flanges 33 are extremely flexible and accordingly readily engage with the ends of the posts, the structure is of comparatively great strength due to the fact that the flanges 33 are backed 11) or reinforced by the flanges 34 of the slide We have found, over an appreciable period of time, that this post locking structure operates very efficiently and is exceptionally durable and generally more satisfactory than structures heretofore used which, inthe main, consisted of the slide bar being formed with pintles which entered holes formed in the ends of the posts.

What we claim is:

' 1. A loose-leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged to each edge of the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the back member, a housing extending along one edge of the back member and being secured thereto and being provided with post receiving apertures, a slide bar mounted in the housing, said slide bar being channel shaped in cross section and being formed with elongated openings in the bottom wall thereof and having flanges extending inwardly from the side edges of said openings, post engaging members arranged in said bar and being formed with openings coextensive with the openings in said bar,'the flanges of the slide bar being cooperable with said post engaging members to detachably secure the same to the slide bar, said post engaging members being formed with flexible post engaging flanges extending inwardly partially across one end of said openings and being operable upon engagement with the ends of the posts to lock the posts to the housing, and means operable to yieldingly urge said bar axially of the housing to normally position said post engaging flanges in register with the post receiving apertures of the housing.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged to each edge of the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the back member, a housing extending along one edge of the back member and being secured thereto and being provided with post receiving apertures, a. slide bar mounted in the housing, said bar being channel shaped in cross section and being formed with elongated openings in the bottom wall thereof and having flanges extending inwardly from the side edges of said opening adjacent one end thereof, post engaging members arranged in said" bar and having inwardly extending flexible flanges superimposed upon said first menti'oned flanges, additional flanges cooperab-le with the post engaging members to detachably secure the same to the slide bar, and means operable to yieldingly urge said bar axially of the hous-fl ing to normally position said flexible flanges in register with the post receiving apertures of the housing. 3. A loose-leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged toeachedge of the back. member, a plurality of .leaf impaling posts extending transversely 0ithe back member, a

tubular housing extending along one edge of the back member and being secured thereto and being formed with apertures to receive the ends of.

the posts, a slide bar mounted in the housing, said bar being channel shaped in cross section and being formed with elongated openings in the bottom wall thereof. spaced apart complee mentalto the spacing of the apertures in said housing, a post engagingmember mounted on the bar in register with each opening therein and havingan aperture coextensive in length to a corresponding one of said openings, said post; engaging members being channel shapedin cross section and havingflanges extending inwardly.

partially across like ends of said apertures,xsaid flanges being operable upon engagement with the ends of the posts to lock the posts to the housing, said bar being formed with upwardly extending flanges arranged adjacent each opening in said bar and being operable upon insertion of the post engaging members in the bar to detachably interlock said members from length-' wise movement relative to said bar, said bar being movable axially in the housing to position the flanges of the post engaging members in register and out of register with the apertures in said housing.

- 4. A loose-leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged to each edge of the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the 1 back member, a tubular housing extending along one edge of the back member and being secure'd theretoand being. formed with apertures toreceive the ends of the posts, a slide bar mounted in the housing and being formed with a plurality of elongated. apertures spaced apart. lengthwise of said bar with the spacing between the same complemental to the spacing of the post receiving apertures in the housing, a post engaging member mounted on said bar in register with each aperture therein and having an aperture coextensive in length to the corresponding aperture in said bar, and said post engaging members being formed with flanges extending inwardly partially across like end portions "of the apertures the bar, said flanges being operable upon engagement with the ends of the posts to lock the posts to the housing, said'bar being formed with inwardly extending projections detachably interlocking said post engaging members from endwise move'-.

ment relative to said bar, and said bar being movable axially in the housing toposition said,

flanges in register and out of register with the post receiving apertures of the housing.

" 5. A loose-leaf-binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged to each edge ofthe back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts ex-",-

member and being secured thereto and being formed withapertures to receive the ends of the 1 A posts, a slide bar mounted "inthe housing and being formed with a plurality of elongated aper tures spaced apart lengthwise of said bar with" tending transversely of the back member, a 1. housing extending along one edge .of the back the spacing between the same *complemental'.

to the spacing of the post receiving. apertures in the housing, said bar being'formed with flanges extending inwardly fromthe side edges of said apertures adjacent like ends thereof and hav-f. ing flangesextending at substantially rightq angles'to said bar adjacent opposite ends of said apertures, a post engaging member mounted on 1 i the bar in register with each aperture therein and'having an aperture coextensive in length ient' flanges extending inwardly and being superimposed upon said first mentioned flanges of the slide bar and being cooperable with the ends of the posts to lock thesame to the housing, said flrstandsecond mentioned flanges of the slide bar being coo-perable with said post engaging members to detachably interlock the same with said slide bar, and said slide bar being movable lengthwise in the housing to position the flanges or" said post. engaging members inregister and out of register with, the post-receiving apertures -o'fthehousing.

6. A loose-leaf binder comprising a. back m'ember, a cover hingedv to each ,edge'of the back v member, a pluralitycf leaf impaling posts extending transversely-of the back member, a

tubular housing extending along one edge of the back member andbeing secured thereto and having post receiving apertures, a slide bar mounted insaid housing; said bar being channel shaped in cross section and having thebottom" wall thereof formedwith a plurality of elongated 1 apertures spaced apart lengthwise of. the bar with I thespacingbetweenthe same complemental to the spacing of the postrec'eiving apertures the housing, a .post engaging member mounted 'within said bar in register with each aperture therein, said post engaging members being channel shaped in crosssectio-n with the bottom wall coextensive in length'with. the aperture of said bar, the side walls of said post engaging mem- I bers engaging the side walls of said slide bar,

and the edges of the side walls of said posten gaging members engaging the top wall of said housing, whereby said members are restrained 'from transverse movement in both the horizontal and vertical planenormal to the axis of said slide bar, said slidev bar being also formedwith inwardly extending flanges contiguous to the apertures herein, said flanges engaging said post engaging members upon insertion of the same in said slide bar and detachably interlocking said,

members with the slide bar from endwise movement relative to. the same, and said'bar being 2 with said first and second mentioned flanges, said, 01

post engaging members being formed with resil 50 1 thereof formed with an aperture substantially 

